Telegram has disclosed that it processed 900 U.S. government requests in 2024, sharing user information such as phone numbers and IP addresses for a total of 2,253 users. This marks a sharp increase in data sharing compared to previous years, reflecting a significant shift in its data-sharing policy. Prior to September 2024, Telegram only provided user data to law enforcement in cases related to terrorism, fulfilling only 14 requests involving 108 users. The new policy change allows Telegram to share user information for a wider range of criminal activities, including cybercrime, illegal goods sales, and online fraud.
This policy update follows growing pressure from authorities and the arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in France in late August 2024. Durov faced multiple charges, including complicity in cybercrime and organized fraud, which led to a shift in Telegram’s stance on sharing user data with law enforcement. The platform’s previous resistance to such demands had earned it a reputation among cybercriminals, who utilized Telegram for various illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen data and malware distribution. The change in policy is seen as a response to these pressures and to legal requirements.
The transparency report covering the period from January to December 2024 reveals that Telegram now shares data in cases involving criminal activities that violate its terms of service. Telegram will disclose phone numbers and IP addresses if it receives a valid order from judicial authorities confirming a user as a suspect in a criminal investigation. This policy change has led to some cybercrime groups announcing their departure from the platform, though experts suggest the overall impact on the criminal activity landscape remains uncertain.
Telegram’s transparency report also indicates a dramatic rise in the sharing of user data during the final quarter of 2024, but a clearer understanding of the policy’s effects will emerge when the next transparency report is released in April 2025. Despite the shift in Telegram’s data-sharing practices, the platform continues to be used for both legitimate communication and illegal activities. While the company has faced criticism for its new stance, the decision reflects its balancing act between user privacy, legal compliance, and efforts to address growing concerns about the platform’s use by cybercriminals.
